We typically bake or grill an entire package of chicken at the beginning of the week so it’s there at our disposal when we need it. Usually a third of it is seasoned with salt & pepper, another third of it with Mrs. Dash Italian Blend, and the last third with whatever spices my husband feels like blended together….he’s big on his spices.

If I know I’ll be making this dish at some point during the week, I shred two of the chicken breasts with a fork while it’s still hot. The plain old salt & pepper chicken comes in handy for this recipe!

To reheat the chicken, simply heat 1/2 tbsp of olive oil a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the shredded chicken and cook (covered) for 3-4 minutes. Drizzle mustard (dijon OR regular) on top of chicken then cover for a few more minutes. If chicken appears to be drying up, add a little bit of chicken broth or water to the pan.

While the chicken is heating, chop the cilantro!

Once the chicken is done, mix chicken, avocado, cilantro, & cheese (feel free to slip in a little spinach, too!).

Spread a small amount of plain greek yogurt on each tortilla, and evenly disperse the mix on each tortilla. Roll the tortilla. It works best if you tuck the sides up first, then roll the rest. I always add a tiny bit of yogurt to “glue” the last flap.

Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil on flat griddle, then cook until golden brown (usually no more than 1 1/2 minutes on each side). It works best to cook the side with the “flap” down first in order to ensure it stays closed.

While choosing themes for the bedrooms, we decided that perhaps a nautical theme for our own room might be a little cliche. We did, however, decde this would be an incredibly appropriate theme for our guest room for our visitors who are coming to stay just a mile and a half from the sea. Right?!

I found these curtain rods at Pottery Barn, but wasn’t about to pay $90.00 for them….so naturally to etsy I went. I LOVE etsy…for two reasons.
1) Yay small businesses! You have my support any day.
2) Most of the time it inspires me to get crafty myself.

Much to my dismay, the price of this curtain rod on etsy was even higher than Pottery Barn! WHAT?! Aw man….$142.00.

Decision made. I’m doing this on my own.

I trotted off to Michaels and bought 15′ of rope for $5.99….which is probably way more expensive than if I just had my husband go to a marina and buy it in bulk; oh well. Here’s the brand I bought; I ended up using about 1/2 the roll for one side:

Luckily, the old homeowners left these pretty ugly curtain rods for us. Since I was covering up the ball on the end (and gold is totally fine in a nautical room) I spent a whole $0.00 on the rod. Feel free to shop for these on your own at a Ross/TJMaxx/Marshalls/Home Goods kinda store…it doesn’t really matter what they look like since you’ll be covering up the ends, anyway.

These two supplies (plus a knife to cut the rope) are all you need!

The first thing you need to do is teach yourself to tie a Monkey Fist. I’d recommend going to youtube and just watching a quick 4 minute video on how to do so. For those who are too anxious and just want to keep going, here are the instructions and process as I tied my knot:

My mom makes uh-mazing mashed potatoes! Seriously. They’re the best ever. I commented on how much I like them this past Thanksgiving, and she told me I wouldn’t want to know what’s in them…

Errrr! Back up a second. I’m all about cheat meals and celebrating holidays, but on a day-to-day basis, I really don’t need the extra starch and calories…especially in the evening (when I’m most likely to eat mashed potatoes).

Therefore, I give you…Cauliflower Faux Mashed Potatoes!

Do they taste like mom’s? Well. Not exactly. But I do love the texture & enjoy the taste in general! Just know they’re not quite the same.

I’ve made these a few different times now; here is the best outcome.

Start by chopping a head of cauliflower. Never done this before?! Me either. Apparently (according to youtube) it’s best to start from the back/bottom by slicing off the bigger chunks then working your way to the smaller ones. I chose to use two different sized knives to accomplish this task.

Next, chop the cauliflower into small pieces. And place in tupperwear. This is one thing I did differently this time and enjoyed: I added olive oil, a little bit of pepper, and a little bit of garlic then shook to flavor cauliflower. Feel free to use any seasonings you’d like….I’m not much of a seasoning guru (unlike my better half).

Toss seasoned cauliflower into steamer basket and steam for 12 minutes once water is boiling.

Once steamed, throw cauliflower into blender with veggie or chicken stock and minced garlic. I personally don’t mind the garlic from a jar; it definitely adds moisture to the mix. Feel free to go the real route if you’d like.

The blending isn’t as simple as making a quick smoothie. It’s important to stop periodically to let the steam out of the top as well as use a spoon to push cauliflower off the walls and into blender. Blend to your desired consistency.

The cauliflower does cool after all the blending and typically needs to be reheated. Feel free to heat in the microwave or stovetop. Sprinkle with chives for presentation.

I’m here to share my journey with you as I work to be the best version of me I can be, but ohmygoodness where do I even start?!

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin in spring of 2011 with a degree in Human Development & Family Studies and a minor in Criminal Justice. The plan was to be a School Counselor and the secondary level, but unfortunately, grad school was not in the plan as I was a little burnt out.

{Graduation Day 2011: University of Wisconsin}

Fortunately, I was offered the BEST job I could ever ask for at Noah’s Ark Waterpark (yup..you know…the largest water park in America); the same place I spent my summers in college. This time around, things would be different as I’d work year round, full time and be the right-hand-lady to the Director(s) of Operations…two people I looked up to more than anybody in the world. I thought I’d be there forever!

{no, I didn’t always dress like this; that was me being goofy after close one evening}

The first year went well! I instructed, trained, & certified all 250 lifeguards and went on to supervise them and 11 other seasonal managers. This was my sweet spot. The off-season was relaxed, but managing this group of people to be sure things ran efficiently was my forte…not to mention it’s what I enjoyed the most.

I even was promoted in June to Operations Manager (which included a nice raise). I thrived in this crazy environment, loved the stress in a really weird way, and can honestly admit I didn’t hate the 16 hour days and often cramming 80 hour work weeks into 5 days (and of course coming in on days off when needed). And, duh. I got a sweet farmer’s tan!

Winter of 2012-2013 had plans of their own when my boyfriend proposed, we got married, then moved for Southern California for his job! So much for that forever gig… (and the cold winters)!

{my husband & me a few days after our engagement}

We love our life here! It turned out to be an incredible blessing that just took a while to get started for me. I was unemployed, didn’t have any friends, and was planning a wedding from 2,000 miles away (we were legally marred at this time; but were still throwing the party for our family and friends that last winter). I was a little lost, lacked routine, and sometimes lonely.

(At least I got to do this all just a few miles from the beach. Right?)

I decided it was time to grab the reigns in one area of my life I could control: my fitness. Through what I know was complete divine intervention, I met a nice blonde at a cafe, signed-up to participate in her fitness accountability group that was 60 days long, and I’ve never looked back. My results were amazing! I lost that college flub, 11 inches overall, dropped roughly 8% body fat, and my wedding dress practically fell down for my autumn fitting, even though it was extremely tight when I bought it in the spring. If ONLY I’d listened to her and actually snapped before & after photos to share with you. Needless to say, I stayed in close touch with that community.

I started working as an Office Manager for a non-profit organization. My co-workers were wonderful & I loved being around the kids. I took care of the business in the office for the organization, which is important, but I found I missed managing the employees I had before. After all, that’s what I was good at and enjoyed most. I wanted another outlet, and to provide more, financially, for our family. About 8 months into my stint there, I felt as though I wasn’t being fully challenged not to mention I wasn’t paid nearly what I had been since college (and that doesn’t even include the Midwest-to-SoCal cost of living difference).

Remember that community I stayed in close contact with? Well, I decided it was my turn to facilitate & guide others on their journey the same way the “Cafe Girl” did for me. I jumped on her team and have never looked back! It was like having a second job, but better. I made my own hours, worked when I could, and got out of it what I put into it.

I knew it would be financially rewarding, but I had NO idea it would SO internally gratifying. In no capacity did I realize the impact my challengers would have on me. I never would have guessed I’d be leading a team of successful entrepreneurs. I couldn’t have ever imagined the empowering community and the solid friendships I’ve built because of this business. Six months after jumping on board, my husband and I decided it was time for me to walk away from my full-time job and invest in all my time in this business. I’ve never looked back.

The freedom this opportunity is creating is exhilarating! I am now able to stay home with our future family, while still contributing financially to this household. I make my own hours, can travel when I’d like to, and entertain guests on their schedule, not mine.

Remember how the best thing about the “best” job I would ever have was the whole “managing people” part? That has transpired into a “leading people” on this TEAM and I couldn’t ask for anything more.

This coming spring marks 4 years since my story above began. That’s my journey and how I got to where I am today. I’m excited to continue down this path to be the version of me I can be, and am glad you’re here to join me through the DIY projects, a few cooking experiments, the adventures I seek out, and anything else to come.